Storm drain baffle to decrease sediment washout

ABSTRACT

Some examples includes a flow-through stormwater sump having a bottom and defining an inlet opening, an outlet opening and a top access opening, an inlet conduit coupled to the flow-through stormwater sump at the inlet opening, an outlet conduit coupled to the flow-through stormwater sump at the outlet opening and a flow-path baffle disposed in the stormwater sump, the flow-path baffle being substantially planar and defining a plurality of openings, the flow-path baffle oriented such that a centerline of the inlet conduit intersects a major plane of the baffle at a point and a centerline of the outlet conduit intersects the major plane at a further point, the flow-path baffle disposed in the stormwater sump in a direct impingement inlet flow-path of the inlet conduit and a direct impingement outlet back-flow-path of the outlet conduit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is claims benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/352,250, filed Jun. 7, 2010, the contents of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Storm drain systems often include a stormwater sump or well. Some sumpsare designed to allow access to the storm sewer. Some sumps serve as ajunction for multiple storm drains. In some instances, the stormwatersump collects sediment for occasional removal by a refuse hauler insteadof allowing the sediment to travel through the entire storm system andultimately into a lake or river. Existing stormwater sumps often cannotretain sediments under high flow conditions and undesirably permitsediment to travel out of a sump. Systems, apparatus and methods areneeded to improve sediment retention.

SUMMARY

This document describes, in various examples, a system for baffling atleast one stormwater flow-path so it does not excessively disturbsediment at the bottom of the sump. Some examples include a flow-throughstormwater sump. A sump includes at least one inlet and at least oneoutlet, and has a top access opening, in some examples. An accessopening is for workers to enter through, or for inserting a suction hoseto pump out sediment, in some examples. In some instances, an accessopening includes openings to allow water from the ground surface todrain into the sump. According to various examples, the sump is coupledwith at least one inlet conduit and at least one outlet conduit, and aflow-path baffle is positioned in the sump such that water flowing intothe sump, such as through an inlet conduit during a storm, flows intothe baffle. In some instances, this baffle is flat and has at least oneopening for water to flow through. In various examples, the baffledistributes the high flow velocity of at least one inlet jet across thebaffle. The baffle provides head loss to reduce the concentration offlow energy in an inlet flow, in various examples. The position, sizeand shape of the baffle, and the size and shape of the openings, areselected to reduce or eliminate scour and washout, i.e. sedimentundesirably leaving the sump, according to several examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a plan or top view of a storm drain, according to someexamples.

FIG. 1B is a cross sectional side view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1A,according to some examples.

FIG. 1C is a side view of the storm drain of FIG. 1A showing a partialdetail of the baffle, according to some examples.

FIG. 1D is a cross sectional side view taken along line B-B of FIG. 1A,according to some examples.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side view of a storm drain including astand, according to some examples.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a storm drain including arms to resist rotationof the baffle, according to some examples.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a storm drain including a deformable arm toresist rotation of the baffle, according to some examples.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a storm drain interference fit into a sump,according to some examples.

FIG. 6A is a front view of a furled flow-path baffle, according to someexamples.

FIG. 6B is a front view of a furled flow-path baffle, according to someexamples.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an unfurled flow-path baffle spanned out tointerference fit into a sump, according to some examples.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a baffle angled with respect to an inletflow-path vector, according to some examples.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a baffle angled with respect to an inletflow-path vector, according to some examples.

FIG. 10 shows a method of baffling flow, according to some examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This description includes examples of a flow-path baffle to interruptfluid flow into a stormwater sump. Several examples describe a flow-pathbaffle that includes at least one opening and that is placeable orformed into a flow-through standard sump such as a manhole. Theflow-path baffle examples described here improve sediment collection andreduce or eliminate sediment scour or washout.

Sediment transport into, out of or though a flow-through sump is, inpart, dependent upon a fluid circulation pattern in the sump, duringoperation. For example, as water enters a sump during a rain event itplunges from at least one inlet of the sump into a bottom portion of thesump. The plunge is due to the deflection of fluid momentum as itimpinges on the far wall, across from at least one inlet. According toseveral examples, plunging movement of the fluid can create anundesirable fluid circulation in the sump. The undesirable fluidcirculation begins with a fluid entering the sump, for example throughat least one inlet, and creating a downward fluid flow at a downstreamend of the sump proximal a sump outlet. The fluid circulationadditionally includes an upstream fluid flow at the bottom of the sump,i.e., in a direction from an outlet toward at least one inlet. Finally,the fluid circulation includes an upstream upward fluid flow from thebottom of the sump toward the sump inlet opening.

In several examples, if this circulation pattern is sufficiently strong,sediment at the bottom of the sump can be mobilized by the fluid flowand can then be moved upstream, lifted back into the inflow jettravelling through at least one inlet. In some examples, the sediment isremoved from the sump, such as through an outlet of the sump. In variousexamples, sediment includes, but is not limited to, that which isdisclosed in Unified Soil Classification System, ASTM D 2487, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In some examples,flow-path baffles described here provide an improvement over sumps withno baffles by collected materials that float, including, but not limitedto, polymeric objects such as plastic bags.

The flow-path baffle examples described here reduce undesirable fluidcirculation. Some examples spread the fluid flow from at least one inletlaterally, i.e. from a center of the sump towards exterior walls of thesump. At high discharge the inflow appears as at least one jet into thesump. An inflow jet, instead of entering the sump and plunging intowater at a downstream end of the sump, flows into a flow-path bafflethat disperses the flow and reduces the inertia of the jet. In someexamples, the baffle disperses an inflow jet, dissipating energy andreducing or eliminating downward flow in the downstream portion of thesump. At least one jet of lower inertia reduces or eliminatesdownwelling that occurs at the far end of the sump, across from at leastone inlet, and thus reduces or eliminates the upwelling and washout ofsediment that has previously been deposited in the sump.

Placement of the flow-path baffle in the sump influences theeffectiveness of the sump. Various examples position a bottom of theflow-path baffle above the sediment or in-use water level. Some examplesthat use a predetermined distance of less than 1 foot from the bottom ofthe flow-path baffle to the top of the sediment height will causewashout or scour below the flow-path baffle. In some instances, if thebottom of the flow-path baffle is closer to at least one inlet conduitinvert than 1 foot, the entire jet may not be intercepted by theflow-path baffle. A parameter used in some examples to govern flow-pathbaffle design is the location of the bottom of the flow-path baffle andthe available depth for sediment deposition. In some instances, the sumpis periodically cleaned, such as when the sediment comes closer than 1foot to the bottom of the flow-path baffle. In some examples, a deepersump will require less maintenance than a shallow sump.

The orientation of the flow-path baffle with respect to the flow-path isalso important. Some examples position the flow-path baffleperpendicular to the flow, such as being perpendicular to at least oneflow-path vector. In some examples, the flow-path baffle is disposedvertically in the sump, i.e. the baffle is substantially planar and amajor plane of the flow-path baffle is substantially vertical in thesump. In some examples, the flow-path baffle is centered in the sump,such as to ease entry into the sump and to ease installation of theflow-path baffle into the sump. In some examples, a centerline of thebaffle intersects with a diameter of the sump. In some examples, acenter line extending out of an inlet conduit intersects a center lineof the flow-path baffle as well as a vertical center line of the sump.Additional examples include an inlet conduit that has a centerline thatdoes not intersect with a vertical centerline of the sump.

In some examples, the flow-path baffle includes at least one opening. Invarious examples, the at least one opening is through the flow-pathbaffle, with each extending from one major surface of the flow-pathbaffle to a further major surface of the flow-path baffle opposite themajor surface. The percentage of open area for the flow-path baffle issized in association with a particular application. In some examples, ifthe percent open area is less than 40%, flow resistance will be too low,causing washout or scour below the flow-path baffle. In some examples, aproper percentage is determined using experimental models. In additionalexamples, if the percent open area is larger than 50% the resistancewill not be large enough to dissipate a sufficient amount of energy todecrease downstream downward flow and to spread the flow. In variousexamples, the percentage of the flow-path baffle that is open isapproximately 46%.

In various examples, the size of at least one opening is associated withthe amount of trash that is captured. If the size of at least oneopening is below 1 inch, debris will be collected, in some examples.These examples increase the flow resistance provided by the fluidflow-path baffle, which can diminish its effectiveness and requiringmore frequent maintenance. A large size of at least one opening of 5inches passes trash in several examples, and requires less frequentmaintenance.

FIG. 1A is a plan or top view of a storm drain, according to someexamples. FIG. 1B is a cross sectional side view taken along line A-A ofFIG. 1A, according to some examples. FIG. 1C is a side view of the stormdrain of FIG. 1A showing a partial detail of the flow-path baffle,according to some examples. FIG. 1D is a cross sectional side view takenalong line B-B of FIG. 1A, according to some examples.

Various examples include a system 100 that includes a flow-throughstormwater sump 112. In various examples, the flow-through stormwatersump 112 has a bottom 114 and defines an inlet opening 116, an outletopening 118 and a top access opening 120. Although the pictured sump 112is substantially cylindrical, other sump shapes are possible, includesumps having a regular orthogonal shape, some other quadrilateral-facedprismatoid or a curvilinear shape.

In some examples, at least one inlet conduit 102 is coupled to theflow-through stormwater sump 112 at an inlet opening 116. In someinstances, at least one outlet conduit 104 is coupled to theflow-through stormwater sump 112 at an outlet opening 118. In variousexamples, at least one inlet conduit is substantially tubular proximalthe flow-through stormwater sump. In various examples, at least oneoutlet conduit is substantially tubular proximal the flow-throughstormwater sump. In various examples, one or both of an inlet conduit102 and an outlet conduit 104 are substantially horizontal proximal theflow-through stormwater sump

In various examples, a flow-path baffle 106 is disposed in thestormwater sump 112. In various examples, the flow-path baffle 106 issubstantially planar, and in additional examples, the flow-path baffle106 is nonplanar. In various examples, the flow-path baffle 106 definesat least one opening. In some examples, the flow-path baffle 106 definesa plurality of openings. The flow-path baffle 106, in certain examples,is oriented such that a centerline, for example one parallel to A-A, ofan inlet conduit 102 intersects a major plane B-B, B′-B′ of the baffleat a point 122. In some examples, a centerline, for example one parallelto A-A, of an outlet conduit 104, intersects the major plane B-B at afurther point. In some examples, the point and the further point arealong a long parallel to A-A. In various examples, the flow-path baffleis 106 disposed in the stormwater sump 112 in a direct impingement inletflow-path 124 of an inlet conduit 102. In various examples, theflow-path baffle is 106 disposed in the stormwater sump 112 in a directimpingement outlet back-flow-path of an outlet conduit 104.

In some examples the flow-path baffle 106 is sized to function with aparticular sump. Table 1 includes example dimensions of a flow-pathbaffle 106.

TABLE 1 Dimensions of Examples Example Label Description Dimension ASump Diameter B Sump Height C Inlet Diameter D Outlet Diameter E InletInvert Height from Sump Bottom F Outlet Invert Height from Sump Bottom GFlow-path Baffle Height I + C + K H Flow-path Baffle Width A, in someexamples I Inlet Invert Height from Flow-path Baffle 1 foot Bottom JFlow-path Baffle Bottom to Sediment Height ≧1 foot K Flow-path BaffleTop to Inlet Crown ≧0.5 foot L Flow-path Baffle Opening Diameter 1 inchto 3 inches M Flow-path Baffle Plate Thickness 0.125 inches

In some examples, the vertical flow-path baffle is centered in the sump.In some examples, a major plane B-B, B′-B′ that bisects the flow-pathbaffle between the major face 108 and the further major face 110intersects with a centerline of one or both of at least one inlet and anoutlet. In some examples, the intersection is orthogonal. Other examplesangle the baffle 106 with respect to the one or both the B-B and B′-B′axis. In various examples, the flow-path baffle 106 is substantiallyvertical. In some of these examples, the flow-path baffle 106 issubstantially perpendicular to one or both of an inlet flow-path 124 andan outlet flow-path 126 such as a back-flow-path. In some examples, theflow-path 106 baffle is centered along a total flow-path length, whichis sump diameter A in some examples.

The flow-path baffle 106 defines at least one opening 128 in variousexamples. In various examples, the percent open area is between around40% open and 50% open. In some examples, the flow-path baffle 106 isapproximately 46% open. In various examples, at least one opening 128 isof a shape of shapes including, but not limited to, circular,rectangular, regular, irregular and curvilinear. In some examples,multiple openings are similarly sized. In some examples, multiplecircular openings each have a diameter of from about 1 inch to about 3inches. Certain examples determine the diameter of at least one openingby constructing a test model and then selecting an opening size thatreduces washout or scour to a predetermined level.

According to some examples, the diameter of the at least one opening 128is determined by multiplying an inlet diameter “C” by a scale factor.Examples include at least one opening 128 that is 1/18*C, ⅙*C, ⅓*C and½*C. In some examples, an inlet diameter “C” is 18 inches, and as such,1/18*C corresponds to 1 inch, ⅙*C corresponds to 3 inches, ⅓*Ccorresponds to five inches and ½*C corresponds to nine inches.

In various examples, the flow-path baffle geometry is dimension M bydimension I+C+K by dimension A. According to several examples, thedimension M is between 1.404 millimeters (0.055 inches) and 4.211millimeters (0.166 inches). According to several examples, the dimensionM is between 1 millimeter and 4 millimeters. In various examples, theflow-path baffle 106 is around 0.125 inches thick. In some examples, theflow-path baffle 106 has a width that approximately spans the sump 112diameter if circular. In some examples in which the sump 112 is shapedotherwise, the flow-path baffle 106 has a width sized to span the fullwidth of sump as measured perpendicular to flow through one or both aninlet conduit and an outlet conduit. In some examples, the flow-pathbaffle 106 is formed of stainless steel. Some examples include steelthat is 0.125 inches thick. In some examples, the flow-path baffle 106is formed of a plastic. In some examples, the flow-path baffle 106 iswelded to the sump. In some examples, the flow-path baffle 106 is boltedto the sump.

In various examples, the top 130 of the flow-path baffle 106 ispositioned such that a sediment height 132 does not exceed the top ofthe flow-path baffle 106 during a predetermined fluid flow event. Insome examples, a top of the flow-path baffle 106 is vertically below acrown 134 of an inlet opening 116.

In some examples, the system 100 results in a head loss increase ofaround 0.2 foot with flow-path baffle installed versus head loss of thesystem 100 without a flow-path baffle 106. In various examples, such ahead loss correlates with a top of the flow-path baffle that is around0.5 foot above the crown 134 of an inlet conduit.

In various examples, the bottom of flow-path baffle is around 1 footbelow an inlet conduit invert 136. In some examples, the flow-pathbaffle 106 is less effective if a distance between the bottom of theflow-path baffle 106 and the top of the sediment is less than around 1foot.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side view of a storm drain including astand, according to some examples. The sump 212 has at least one inlet202, and outlet 204 and a flow-path baffle 206 installed in the sump212. In various examples, the sump constrains the flow-path baffle 106laterally. For example, if the baffle is shaped like a sheet, the edgesof the sheer are constrained in the baffle such that the sheet extendsalong a diameter of the sump 212. In various examples, a standconstrains the baffle vertically. In some examples, the stand includes aplurality of legs 252. In additional examples, the stand is a single legstand 252. Optionally, the stand includes an adjustment turnbuckle.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a storm drain including arms to resist rotationof the baffle, according to some examples. The sump 312 has an inlet302, and outlet 304 and a flow-path baffle 306 installed in the sump312. In various examples, at least one arm 350 is coupled to a majorface 308 of the flow-path baffle 306, such as via hinge. In someexamples, the at least one arm 350 is to rotate into the one of an inletopening 316 and outlet opening 318. Some examples include an arm 350 anda further arm 352 opposite the arm that is coupled to the flow-pathbaffle 306 and extends into one of an inlet opening and outlet openingand constrains the rotational orientation of the major plane 308 withrespect to the opening. In various examples, the at least one arm 350 iscoupled to the flow-path baffle 206 extend into one of an inlet openingand an outlet opening and constrain the rotational orientation of themajor plane 308 with respect to the opening.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a storm drain including a deformable arm toresist rotation of the baffle, according to some examples. The sump 412has an inlet 402, and outlet 404 and a flow-path baffle 406 installed inthe sump 412. In various examples, at least one arm extends into one orboth of an inlet opening 416 and an outlet opening 418. In someexamples, the arm 450 is a deformable spring. In various examples, afurther arm 452 opposite the arm 450 is coupled to the flow-path baffle406 and extends into the other of the inlet opening and outlet openingand constrains the rotational orientation of the major plane 408 withrespect to the inlet 416 and outlet 418 openings.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a storm drain interference fit into a sump,according to some examples. The sump 512 has an inlet 502, and outlet504 and a flow-path baffle 506 installed in the sump 512. In someexamples, the flow-path baffle 506 is constrained to the sump 512 via arod 550. In some examples, the rod 550 is coupled to the flow-pathbaffle 506 such as by fasteners 554. In some examples, the rod 550 isadjusted to interference fit into the sump 512. In some examples, therod 550 includes a turnbuckle 552 adjusted to the interference fit. Insome examples, the flow-path baffle comprises a plurality of platesjoined to one another with at least one hinge 558. In various examples,the hinges allow the baffle to be folded up when inserted through amanhole, and then unfolded in use.

FIG. 6A is a front view of a furled flow-path baffle, according to someexamples. In various examples, at least one center spool 664 is used tofor furling a baffle 606. In various examples, a furled flow-path baffle606 is compact and sized to fit through a sump entry such as a manholeentry. FIG. 6B is a front view of a furled flow-path baffle, accordingto some examples. In some examples, a mounting leg 662 is positioned forfastening to a sump 612. In some examples, a fastener such as a bolt 670is used to fasten the mounting leg to the sump 612. The present subjectmatter is not limited to examples in which the mounting leg 662 ismounted to a sump before unfurling of a flow-path baffle. The mountingleg 662 is an example of a mounting leg, and other devices arecompatible with mounting the flow-path baffle 606 in a sump 612. In someexamples, a detent mechanism 668 applies a spring bias to maintain theflow-path baffle in a furled configuration. In some examples, the detentmechanism includes at least one detent to hold the flow-path baffle inan unfurled position once a spring bias of the detent mechanism 668 isovercome, such as by an operator during installation.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an unfurled flow-path baffle spanned out tointerference fit into a sump, according to some examples. The flow-pathbaffle 706 includes at least one opening. In some examples, flow-pathbaffle 706 is shown partially furled around at least one spool 764. Insome examples, the flow-path baffle is not furled at all in use. Invarious examples, at least one rod assembly 750 is interference fit aflow-path baffle assembly 700 into a sump. In some examples, at leastone foot 756 forms part of the at least one rod assembly 750. In someexamples, at least one foot 756 is pliant. In additional examples, thefeet 756 are not pliant. Some examples include spikes, and other foottypes are possible.

Some examples include an adjuster 752 to adjust a width of the rodassembly 750 as illustrated. In examples, the rod assemblies areorthogonal to the spools 764, but in additional examples, they areparallel. In some examples, the rod assembly is integrated with a spooleliminating vertical or height-wise supports for the flow-path baffle706.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a baffle angled with respect to an inletflow-path vector, according to some examples. A sump 802 is shown fromthe top. A covering such as a manhole is omitted from the figure inorder to show the internal configuration. A flow-path baffle 804 ispositioned in the sump 802. According to some examples, at least aportion of an inlet flow-path 806 travels along an inlet flow-pathvector 808. In some examples, an inlet flow-path vector 808 is alignedwith the baffle 804 such that an inlet flow-path is into a planarsurface 810 the baffle 804. In some examples, an inlet flow-path vector808 is other than parallel to the planar surface 810 of the baffle 804.In various examples, a planar surface 810 of the baffle 804 is parallelto a height 812 of the sump 802. The height 812 of the sump is shown asan arrow coming out of the figure, toward the viewer.

According to some examples, at least a portion of an outlet flow-path814 travels along a flow-path vector 816. In some examples, an outletflow-path vector 816 is aligned with the baffle 804 such that an outletflow-path is into a planar surface 818 the baffle 804. In some examples,an outlet flow-path vector 816 is other than parallel to the planarsurface 818 of the baffle 804. In various examples, a planar surface 818of the baffle 804 is parallel to a height 812 of the sump 802.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a baffle angled with respect to an inletflow-path vector, according to some examples. A sump 902 is shown fromthe side. A covering such as a manhole 920 is shown. A flow-path baffle904 is positioned in the sump 902. According to some examples, at leasta portion of an inlet flow-path 906 travels along an inlet flow-pathvector 908. In some examples, an inlet flow-path vector 908 is alignedwith the baffle 904 such that an inlet flow-path is into a planarsurface 910 the baffle 904. In some examples, an inlet flow-path vector908 is other than parallel to the planar surface 910 of the baffle 904.In various examples, a planar surface 910 of the baffle 904 is parallelto a width 912 of the sump 902. The width 912 is orthogonal to a height922 of the sump 902. The width 912 of the sump is shown as an arrowcoming out of the figure, toward the viewer.

According to some examples, at least a portion of an outlet flow-path914 travels along a flow-path vector 916. In some examples, an outletflow-path vector 916 is aligned with the baffle 904 such that an outletflow-path is into a planar surface 918 the baffle 904. In some examples,an outlet flow-path vector 916 is other than parallel to the planarsurface 918 of the baffle 904. In various examples, a planar surface 918of the baffle 904 is parallel to a width 912 of the sump 902. In someexamples, an inlet flow-path vector 908 is parallel to an outletflow-path vector 916. In some examples, they are collinear.

FIG. 10 shows a method of baffling flow, according to some examples.Various examples include a method of installing a flow-path baffle. At1002, the method includes determining an inlet flow-path from an inletconduit of a stormwater sump and into the stormwater sump. At 1004, themethod includes determining a back-flow-path from an outlet conduit of astormwater sump and into the stormwater sump. At 1006, the methodincludes inserting a flow-path baffle, which includes at least oneopening, into the sump with an inlet flow-path and the back-flow-pathdirectly impinging on the flow-path baffle. At 1008, the method includesconstraining the flow-path baffle in the sump such that the baffle isabove a top sediment height associated with the stormwater sump filledwith stormwater and sediment.

Some examples include sizing a plurality of openings in the flow-pathbaffle to reduce energy from an inlet flow-path to a level associatedwith a predetermined decrease in upstream upwelling of the sump. Someexamples include sizing a plurality of openings in the flow-path baffleto reduce energy from an inlet flow-path to a level associated with apredetermined decrease in washout or scour of the sump. Some methodsinclude studying a sump and determining at least one of: baffle size,including height and width, baffle orientation including baffle anglewith respect to one or both of flow-path vectors and vertical positionof baffle in the sump, and the size of at least one opening of a baffle.Some methods include studying one or both of a flow-path of a sump anddetermining at least one of: baffle size, including height and width,baffle orientation including baffle angle with respect to one or both offlow-path vectors and vertical position of baffle in the sump, and thesize of at least one opening of a baffle. Some examples include cleaningthe sump when sediment rises above the sediment height. Some examplesinclude bolting the flow-path baffle to the sump. Some examples includelowering the flow-path baffle into the sump and adjusting the height ofa stand to elevate the flow-path baffle from a bottom of the baffle.Some examples include adjusting includes turning a turnbuckle. Someexamples include locking the turnbuckle in place with at least one of alock nut, a cotter pin and safety wire.

In the present description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way ofillustration specific examples that may be practiced. These embodimentsare described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the invention, and it is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical and electricalchanges may be made without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. The present description of example embodiments is, therefore,not to be taken in a limited sense, and the scope of the presentinvention is defined by the appended claims.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) to allow thereader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technicaldisclosure. The Abstract is submitted with the understanding that itwill not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for baffling at least one stormwaterflow-path, comprising: a flow-through stormwater sump, the flow-throughstormwater sump having a bottom and defining an inlet opening, an outletopening and a top access opening; an inlet conduit coupled to theflow-through stormwater sump at the inlet opening; an outlet conduitcoupled to the flow-through stormwater sump at the outlet opening; and aflow-path baffle disposed in the stormwater sump and raised above abottom of the stormwater sump, the flow-path baffle being substantiallyplanar and defining at least one opening configured to partiallydisperse stormwater flowing from the inlet opening between an upstreamside of the stormwater sump adjacent the inlet opening and a downstreamside of the stormwater sump adjacent the outlet opening to dissipateenergy of downward flows of the stormwater, wherein the at least oneopening is sized such that between 40% and 50% of a face of theflow-path baffle is open, with, the flow-path baffle oriented such thata centerline of the inlet conduit intersects a major plane of the baffleat a point above a bottom of the baffle, and a centerline of the outletconduit intersects the major plane at another point that is also abovethe bottom of the flow-path baffle, the flow-path baffle disposed in thestormwater sump in a direct impingement inlet flow-path of the inletconduit such that, during the storm flow, the inlet flow-path extends tothe flow-path baffle to intersect with the major plane, with a bafflearea of the flow-path baffle being larger than a cross-sectional area ofthe inlet flow-path of the stormwater flow-path, and the flow-pathbaffle is disposed in the stormwater sump in a direct impingement outletback-flow-path of the outlet conduit such that, during the storm flow,the outlet back-flow-path extends to the flow-path baffle to intersectwith the major plane, with the baffle area being larger than across-sectional area of the outlet back-flow-path of the stormwaterflow-path.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the face is approximately46% open.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the inlet conduit issubstantially tubular proximal the flow-through stormwater sump and theoutlet conduit is substantially tubular proximal the flow-throughstormwater sump.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the inlet conduit issubstantially horizontal proximal the flow-through stormwater sump; theoutlet conduit is substantially horizontal proximal the flow-throughstormwater sump; and the major plane of the baffle disposedsubstantially vertically and a top of the flow-path baffle is verticallyabove a crown of the inlet opening.
 5. The system of claim 1, whereinthe flow-path baffle is between approximately 0.055 inches thick and0.166 inches thick.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the at least oneopening is circular and between approximately 1 and 5 inches indiameter.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the flow-through stormwatersump is substantially cylindrical.
 8. An apparatus for baffling at leastone stormwater flow-path, comprising: a flow-path baffle to be disposedin a stormwater sump having a bottom and defining an inlet opening, anoutlet opening and a top access opening, the flow-path baffle beingsubstantially planar and defining at least one opening, the flow-pathbaffle to be coupled to the stormwater sump raised above a bottom of thestormwater sump, the flow-path baffle to be oriented such that acenterline of an inlet conduit coupled to the stormwater sump intersectsa major plane of the flow-path baffle at a point above a bottom of theflow-path baffle, and a centerline of an outlet conduit coupled to thestormwater sump intersects the major plane at another point that is alsoabove the bottom of the flow-path baffle, the flow-path baffle to bedisposed in the stormwater sump in a direct impingement inlet flow-pathof the inlet conduit such that, during storm flow, the inlet flow-pathextends to the flow-path baffle to intersect with the major plane andwherein the at least one opening is configured to partially dispersestormwater flowing from the inlet opening between an upstream side ofthe stormwater sump adjacent the inlet opening and a downstream side ofthe stormwater sump adjacent the outlet opening to dissipate energy ofdownward flows of the stormwater wherein the at least one opening issized such that between 40% and 50% of a face of the flow-path baffle isopen, with a baffle area of the flow-path being larger than across-sectional area of the inlet flow-path of the flow-path, and adirect impingement outlet back-flow-path of the outlet conduit suchthat, during the storm flow, the outlet back-flow-path extends to thebaffle to intersect with the major plane, with the flow-path baffle areabeing larger than a cross-sectional area of the outlet back-flow-path ofthe flow-path.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the baffle is to beconstrained to the sump via a rod coupled to the flow-path baffle and tobe adjusted to interference fit into the sump.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the sump constrains the flow-path baffle laterally, anda stand constrains the baffle vertically.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the stand includes a plurality of legs.
 12. A method of bafflingat least one stormwater flow-path, comprising: determining an inletflow-path from an inlet conduit of a stormwater sump and into thestormwater sump; determining a back-flow-path from an outlet conduit ofa stormwater sump and into the stormwater sump; inserting a flow-pathbaffle, which includes at least one opening, into the sump with theinlet flow-path and the back-flow-path directly impinging on theflow-path baffle, wherein the at least one opening is configured topartially disperse stormwater flowing from the inlet conduit between anupstream side of the stormwater sump adjacent the inlet conduit and adownstream side of the stormwater sump adjacent the outlet conduit todissipate energy of downward flows of the stormwater, wherein the atleast one opening is sized such that between 40% and 50% of a face ofthe flow-path baffle is open; and constraining the flow-path baffle inthe sump such that the baffle is raised above a bottom of the stormwatersump, above a top sediment height associated with the stormwater sumpfilled with stormwater and sediment.
 13. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising sizing the at least one opening to reduce the energy from theinlet flow-path to a level associated with a predetermined decrease inupstream upwelling of the sump.
 14. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising sizing the at least one opening to reduce the energy from theinlet flow-path to a level associated with a predetermined decrease inwashout or scour of the sump.
 15. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising cleaning the sump when sediment rises above the sedimentheight.
 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising bolting theflow-path baffle to the sump.
 17. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising lowering the flow-path baffle into the sump and adjusting theheight of a stand to elevate the flow-path baffle from a bottom of thesump.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein adjusting includes turning aturnbuckle.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising locking theturnbuckle in place with at least one of a lock nut, a cotter pin andsafety wire.